Shutting down a pitcher because he has pitched more innings than he ever has before is not a trend. More pitchers who have pitched more innings than they ever have before are not being shut down than are being shut down.

In 2011 Dylan Axelrod pitched more than 40 innings more in the minors than he ever had before. The Sox didn't shut him down. They brought him up in September and gave him three starts.

The only reason to shut a pitcher down is fear of injury. It is ridiculous to shut down a healthy major league pitcher simply because he has pitched more innings than he ever has before. Next year, if the Mets are contending, presumably he will be in a similar position at a similar point in the season.

If Harvey is becoming less effective, ending his season early protects his stats. But being a quality major league starting pitcher means pitching through some dead-arm stretches.

You are comparing Dylan Axelrod - Dylan Axelrod - to pitchers who are expected to be the franchise. That may close the case.

And it is a recent trend - ask those who yammer on about 300 innings on three days rest up until the 80s.

Anyway, continue to evade and only partially answer. It is ridiculous to think the Mets or Harvey are protecting stats.

You also haven't addressed any of my other points.

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Ridiculousness across all sports:

(1) "You have no valid opinion because you never played the game."
(2) "Stats are irrelevant. This guy just doesn't know how to win."